TWIG Application Info & Guidelines

The TWIG Artist Residency Application is now OPEN.

TWIG is a competitive, juried, 6-month artist studio residency program offering emerging and established artists the opportunity to engage the Milwaukee arts community and its public in critical dialogue about contemporary art.

Located at the Mitchell Street Arts’ new 12,000-square-foot facility on the near Southside, TWIG provides workspace, creative community, exhibition opportunities and professional development for Milwaukee-based, contemporary artists.

MiSA strongly encourages and welcomes emerging and established artists of all background to apply to the residency program, color and/or LGBTQ+ artists welcome. We believe that the arts are essential to leading a full and productive life. We affirm our support of those with physical limitations, by committing to ongoing improvements of our space's accessibility. Contact info@mitchellstreet.org with accessibility inquiries.

As a commitment to equity and accessibility, the TWIG residency is offered at a highly subsidized rate of $200/month. This includes 24/7 access to a private studio space and full use of our makerspace facilities — including woodshop, ceramics studio, darkroom, spray booth, and reservable gallery/event space. A refundable $200 security deposit is also required to confirm participation.

Residency Includes:

TWIG studios

  • The studios range from 100 to 170 square-foot private, non-residential, workspaces

  • Each studio has plywood backed walls for easy mounting

  • 24/7 secure access, except for during private events inside MiSA

  • Free access to MiSA’s 3000 square foot makerspace workshop

  • Free storage, slop sink, lockers, kitchen and common areas

Creative Community

  • Open-plan makerspace to inspire dialogue, collaborations and the development of new ideas

  • Work with your peers to creatively shape the residency according to your needs

  • Exhibition Opportunities

  • One shared exhibition in a dedicated, 600-square-foot gallery space

  • MiSA marketing support, including press releases, website announcement and social media

  • Opportunities to work with national/international NEST artists (program pending)

Professional Development

  • MiSA works closely with you to develop a customized professional development plan based on your vision and personal goals

  • MiSA staff offers occasional private tours of your studio to potential collectors

  • One-on-one studio visits with prominent members of the greater arts community

  • For residents that are interested, we enjoy working with artists to explore how they can re-contextualize their work for public spaces.

Apply to TWIG:

Application checklist

Completed online application form, including:

  • Current resume

  • Artist Statement

  • Description of goals for Residency

  • 5 samples of recent work, including short descriptions

Eligibility

TWIG is open to visual, sound, or interdisciplinary artists based in the city of Milwaukee.

  • Artist Collectives may apply for a shared studio

  • Ideal candidates show significant promise and dedication to their work as a vocation.

  • Artists can make the time commitment to be in their studio 15+ hours a week.

  • Artists are at a moment in which access to a studio and supportive environment will be particularly meaningful to their practice.

  • In the spirit of shared space, artists should be mindful of events and other artists when scheduling their makerspace use and contribute to keeping communal areas clean and welcoming.

  • Artist must have renter’s insurance to cover any and all personal property stored at MiSA

Types of Disciplines

We accept artists who work on paper, print, mural, sculpture, painting, photography, new media, installation and sound. Multidisciplinary artists who are unsure if they are eligible are encouraged to reach out to info@mitchellstreet.org

Program Expectations

  • Artists in residence must commit to participate for the duration of the whole program.

  • Artists in residence are required to pay a monthly $200 fee to cover the cost of the studio, as well as a first month’s fee as a security deposit. This deposit will be returned to the artist at the end of the 6 month residency.

  • Artists are expected to use their studio at least 15 hours per week throughout the 6-month residency to ensure limited studio space is prioritized for those who actively need it.

  • Residents are expected to lead at least 3 workshops/ lectures / classes during their entire residency

  • Artists in residence may not store supplies, artworks, or personal items in any of the common areas such as the makerspace, main gallery, or kitchenette without prior approval for a specific instance.

  • Artists in residence are responsible for cleaning up and disposing of any garbage created by use in any space.

  • Food and drink is prohibited inside artist studios.